The Island

There is a small island about 15 km south-west from where I live. The maps will tell you that it is called Ryøya. Geologists will tell you that it is made up, for the greater part, of schist, dolomite and gneiss, overgrown with ericaceae, scots pine, birch and... grass.

Oh, how often I have wished the grass had not been there... But I digress.

The island is protected on all sides by violent streams, the Litjestraum to the south and the Storstraum to the north, keeping all but the sturdiest boats away... and more importantly, keeping its inhabitants in. At least for now.

The island is also under the protection of the Department for Arctic Biology, UiT, kept faithful to the inhabitants by a yearly bribery of "1500 kr pr. kilo" once a year. Access is prohibited, but you can watch the island from Hella, the natural stone plateu across the Storstraum. A troup of brave locals are stationed there at all times, disguised as fishermen. A sign by the road informs any bypasser to "Proceed with Caution".